Bert Smith’s Post

All things Psychological Safety this week. I am certified in the 4 Stages of psychological safety. I love this model and methodology because it is actionable, not theoretical. I'll begin with Stage 1 - Inclusion Safety. Inclusion safety is the foundation of any culture of belonging. As the first stage of psychological safety, it activates the power of diversity and encourages team members to embrace what makes them- them. Organizationally, your job and title officially place you with a team, yet you won't feel part of the team without a foundation of inclusion safety. And if you don't feel like you belong: - Why would you risk making a mistake or challenging the status quo? - Why would you step outside your comfort zone, volunteer to take on more responsibility, - Or be vulnerable with your team? You wouldn't. That's why inclusion safety is Stage One, the foundational stage of psychological safety. #psychologicalsafety #inclusionsafety #leadership #bevalued #safetobeyou

All things Psychological Safety this week. I am certified in the 4 Stages of psychological safety. I love this model and methodology because it is actionable, not theoretical. I'll begin with Stage 1 - Inclusion Safety. Inclusion safety is the foundation of any culture of belonging. As the first stage of psychological safety, it activates the power of diversity and encourages team members to embrace what makes them- them. Organizationally, your job and title officially place you with a team, yet you won't feel part of the team without a foundation of inclusion safety. And if you don't feel like you belong: - Why would you risk making a mistake or challenging the status quo? - Why would you step outside your comfort zone, volunteer to take on more responsibility, - Or be vulnerable with your team? You wouldn't. That's why inclusion safety is Stage One, the foundational stage of psychological safety. #psychologicalsafety #inclusionsafety #leadership #bevalued

Psychological Safety is not just a concept but a powerful tool for fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth within any team. As Dr. Timothy R. Clark explains, there are four stages that teams and organizations go through to achieve this culture of psychological safety: ✅Inclusion Safety: This is the foundation where everyone feels accepted and valued for who they are. It ensures that every team member feels included and part of the group, setting the stage for higher levels of engagement. ✅Learner Safety: At this stage, team members feel safe learning, asking questions, and making mistakes without fear of ridicule or retribution. It's about creating an environment where curiosity is encouraged, and learning is continuous. ✅Contributor Safety: Individuals feel safe contributing their ideas and work here. They are empowered to apply their skills and participate in decision-making, knowing their input is valued. ✅Challenger Safety: This is the stage where they can speak up, offer new ideas, and question existing practices without fear of negative consequences. Embracing and nurturing these stages is necessary for a more dynamic, productive, and inclusive workplace, where they can unlock the full potential of their teams and create a culture of trust and collaboration. #collaboration #challenges #Inclusion #innovation

Psychological safety is something felt by the individuals and functions at a team level. Building awareness and the skills needed to promote and nurture this within every person within every team is crucial. However backing it up with congruent leadership modelling is also vital.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily work, it's easy to overlook the simple yet profound impact of truly listening to our employees. As leaders, we have the power to create environments where every voice is heard, every story is valued, and every person feels seen. When we prioritize inclusion and psychological safety, we unlock the full potential of our diverse teams. This starts with understanding and implementing behaviors that promote a culture of openness and trust (unfortunately, this is not something that's accomplished easily, even in companies with the best of intentions). Like Timothy says... 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫: - 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: Authentic connections begin with shared experiences. - 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥: Foster dialogue and show genuine interest in your team’s perspectives. - 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Recognize and celebrate contributions, big and small. By committing to these practices, we not only enhance our team's performance but also nurture an environment where innovation thrives and individuals feel empowered to contribute their best. Let’s lead by example and make inclusion a daily practice, not just a concept. Together, we can create workplaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard. #Leadership #PsychologicalSafety #Inclusion #Diversity #TeamEngagement #EmployeeWellbeing

Friday Thought: Building Inclusion Safety in Your Team 🌍 If you're interested in building psychological safety within your team, I highly recommend checking out this insightful post. It delves into the importance of inclusion safety, the foundational stage of psychological safety, and offers some practical tips for fostering it. 🌍 Diversity is a fact, inclusion is a choice. Without a feeling of belonging, we miss out on the full benefits of diversity and stifle our team's potential to perform and innovate. 🌐 Multicultural team members bring their own challenges with differing assumptions and expectations about fostering psychological safety, but inclusion safety is the essential feeling that everyone needs. #psychologicalsafety #inclusion #diversity #teamperformance

Diversity is a fact, inclusion is a choice. Diversity is a matter of makeup and composition. Inclusion is a matter of belief and behavior. Diversity benefits no one unless we can unleash its power. Inclusion does that through psychological safety. As the foundational stage of The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety, Stage 1: Inclusion Safety satisfies the basic human need to connect and belong. Without a basis of inclusion, we will not feel safe to learn and make mistakes, contribute and work with autonomy, or innovate and challenge the status quo in an organization. Why? Because inclusion regulates the speed of discovery. It de-bottlenecks the organization to release its innovative potential. Building psychological safety doesn’t happen at the theoretical level. It happens at the behavioral level. Those interested in building a lasting culture of psychological safety in their organizations must examine how their teams interact. Which acts of vulnerability are rewarded? Which are punished? Here are 3 tactical behaviors you can use to build Inclusion Safety on your team: 1. Share your story, hear their story. 2. Ask twice as much as you tell. 3. Express gratitude and appreciation. #psychologicalsafety #inclusion #diversity #4stages

Excited to lead a team where psychological safety is not just a buzzword, but a thriving reality! 🚀 Create an environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. 💪 Together, we're not just colleagues; we foster #innovation and #growth. 1. **Open Communication Channels**: As a leader, prioritize open lines of #communication, ensuring that every team member feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment. 🗣️ 2. **Embracing Diversity and Inclusion**: Fostering #psychological safety means celebrating our differences. Actively promote a culture of diversity and inclusion, recognizing that diverse perspectives lead to stronger, more innovative solutions. 🌍🤝 3. **Encouraging Risk-Taking**: Mistakes are stepping stones to #success. Encourage your team to take risks and learn from failures, creating an environment where experimentation is not only accepted but celebrated. 🚀💡 4. **Recognition and Appreciation**: Acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of each team member is crucial. Make it a point to #recognize achievements, big or small, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere. 🏆👏 5. **Continuous Learning and Growth**: In a psychologically safe environment, learning is continuous. Foster a #culture that values personal and professional development, where team members feel encouraged to expand their skills and knowledge. 📚🌱 Together, these principles create a workplace where psychological safety flourishes, unlocking the full potential of each team member. 💼🌟 #Leadership #TeamDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #Teamwork #Work #Remote #Psychology #Safety

Are your organization's best ideas going unheard? Innovation thrives in environments where every voice is heard. Psychological safety evolves in four stages: inclusion safety, learner safety, contributor safety, and challenger safety. Think of a team where each stage is embraced. Individuals feel included, free to ask questions and make mistakes, comfortable contributing their ideas, and empowered to challenge the status quo. This progression signifies a robust speak-up culture where every voice is valued and respected. Start by actively soliciting input during meetings. Encourage everyone to share one idea or suggestion, no matter how small. Creating a safe space for feedback lays the groundwork for a culture where speaking up is the norm. Let's commit to fostering an environment where every voice is heard and every idea has a chance to shine. Ready to unleash the power of your team? #SpeakUpCulture #Innovation #Empowerment #Vision2040 #TheShift #psychologicalsafety #workplaceculture #inclusiveleadership

Fostering Respect at Work Respect in the workplace is the cornerstone of a positive and productive work environment. It is the foundation upon which trust, communication, and collaboration thrive. When employees feel respected, they are more likely to feel motivated, valued, and engaged in their work. Respect is a two-way street that should be practiced by all members of an organization, regardless of their position or role. One key aspect of respect at work is treating others with kindness and empathy. This means listening actively to colleagues, acknowledging their ideas, and valuing their contributions. Respecting others' boundaries and viewpoints is also crucial in fostering a respectful workplace culture. Additionally, showing appreciation for others' efforts and achievements can go a long way in building mutual respect among team members. Respect at work also involves maintaining professionalism, integrity, and communication at all times. Addressing conflicts constructively, offering constructive feedback, and being open to diverse perspectives are essential components of a respectful work environment. Ultimately, when respect is ingrained in the organizational culture, employees feel empowered, supported, and motivated to perform at their best.